Raley eyes chance for playing time

Football

Mario Raley is still trying to jump-start his Georgia football career.

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Now would be as good a time as ever, because coach Mark Richt is looking for wide receivers to shine during spring practice.

"This is a very big spring for me," Raley said. "I've been battling some injuries since I've been here, but now I'm finally healthy. I think I'll finally get a fair opportunity to get out there and show what I can do."

Buried deep on the depth chart last August, Raley ended up redshirting because of shoulder and groin injuries. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound junior is working behind Bryan McClendon and A.J. Bryant at split end and is the top slot receiver in three-receiver sets, which Georgia is less likely to use since flanker Sean Bailey is its only proven receiver.

"I'm looking for a couple of receivers to step up right now," said Richt. "There's a lot of playing time out there to be gotten for someone who really wants it."

Rumors had Raley looking to transfer last year.

He now admits he thought long about a fresh start elsewhere.

"I'm not going to lie to you, I did," Raley said. "I prayed to God and talked to my Mom and our chaplain (Kevin Hynes) and was trying to figure out what the best thing for me, to go or stay."

Receivers coach John Eason says if Raley can stay injury-free "he's going to develop some confidence in himself and his abilities and you'll see some big improvement."

Raley has 11 catches for 130 yards in two collegiate seasons. That's a far cry from the 100 catches and a state record 27 touchdown receptions Raley posted in 2001 at Independence High School in Charlotte, N.C., when current Florida quarterback Chris Leak tossed him passes.

"Oh, man, the adjustment is just growing up - mentally, physically and just the whole way around," Raley said. "It's being a man and meeting the challenges."

Said Richt: "He's getting closer to the end, but he's still got two years. That's plenty of time to play a lot of football and prove what you can do."

Jackson still not cleared for return

Defensive end Marcus Jackson, who sat out last season after suffering a blood clot, still has not been cleared to return to practice, his mother said Thursday after Jackson met with a doctor earlier in the day. Jackson, from Norcoss, still might not know if he will be able to play again for months, she said.

"It may be over the summer," Eunice Walker said. "He wanted to do some more tests. Some of the tests were still elevated."

Brock, Bulldogs begin full pads work

Georgia put on full pads for the first time this spring on Thursday night. Richt said the first contact would provide a better gauge of players returning from injury.

Junior offensive guard Josh Brock missed last season with a shoulder injury. Brock, who started 12 games in 2003, is working behind junior Nick Jones at split guard.

"I'm just trying to get back in the swing of things and getting my feet back under me and my stamina back under me," Brock said. "I'm competing to start. Nick and I are just going to have a good competition and we're just going to feed off each other."

Coaching clinic under way

Georgia's annual coaching clinic began on Thursday and continues today with 450 coaches expected. Among featured speakers today is North Clayton coach Don Shockley, the father of quarterback D.J. Shockley. Former N.C. State coach Dick Sheridan is the keynote speaker this afternoon.